Karnapishachini Kali

 Karṇapiśācinī Kālī 

Debunking the myth of Devī Karṇapiśācinī being an Evil Goddess (Apadevatā - अपदेवता)

Introduction:— 

Karṇapiśācinī (कर्णपिशाचिनी) is a very esoteric goddess of Śaktism. She is mainly worshipped in Kālīkula (कालीकुल). Her consort is Karṇapiśācarudra (कर्णपिशाचरुद्र) . Here it is not our topic to discuss on Mā Karṇapiśācinī, we're going to refute the false claims on her. Some E-jñānīs are spreading misconceptions about her because she is "piśācinī" (पिशाचिनी). In the modern Indian society and languages, Piśāca (पिशाच) means demon or a type of ghost. Hence, they're telling that this goddess is an Apadevatā or Apavidyā. Let's check the real truth behind it. 

Etymology:— 

The term Piśāca (पिशाच) is derived from "√पिशित + आ + च + अ". So, the root word is Piśita (पिशित). It means flesh or none cooked meat. Consequently, Piśāca means who takes flesh as food. Piśācinī is the female term of Piśāca. Yes, The Piśāca demons eat flesh. But in some esoteric Śākta rituals, some goddesses are also offered flesh as Naivedya (नैवेद्य). Only core levelled Vāmācārī Sādhakas can do this. 

Now, let's discuss about the term Rākṣasī (राक्षसी). We know, Rākṣasas are one type of demonic animals. But what is the original meaning of Rākṣasa (राक्षस) ? Rākṣasa term is derived from "√रक्षस् + अ". It means the protector. The original duty of the Rākṣasas is to protect the weak, the poor. 

As per Rāmāyaṇa, after creating the great Ocean, Lord Brahmā handed the duty to protect it to the Rākṣasas. 

About other Goddesses:— 

Except Devī Karṇapiśācinī , many goddesses are also mentioned as Rākṣasī or Piśācinī. Because they're the core Vāmācārī deities and they are offered flesh . 

The Guhyatantra (गुह्यतन्त्र) addressed Devī Mātaṅgī as "उच्छिष्टाचाण्डालिनी सुमुखी देवी महापिशाचिनी". Here Mahāpiśācinī (महापिशाचिनी) term is used. 

The Puraścaryārṇava Tantra (पुरश्चर्यार्णव तन्त्र) states, 

दद्यादुच्छिष्टशब्दं तु तथा चाण्डालिनीति च । 

सुमुखीति ततो देवी कीर्तयेत् तदनन्तरम् ॥ 

महापिशाचिनी तस्मान्मायाबीजमनन्तरम् । 

"Mahāpiśācinī" is also mentioned in this text. 

In Mātaṅgī Kula, there is also a manifestation called Karṇamātaṅgī (कर्णमातङ्गी). 

"चतुष्पथे श्मशाने वा कलामध्ये च मान्त्रिकः। मत्स्यं मांसं पायसञ्च दद्याद्धृपञ्च गुगुलं। रात्रियोगेन कर्तव्यं सदा पूर्णश्च साधकः।" 

Sādhaka should worship Karṇamātaṅgī in the cremation ground by offering meat, fish, kheer, guggula etc at night. 

According to the Hāhārava Tantra, Guhyakālī's another name is "Rākṣasī" — The protector.

परब्रह्मात्मिका काली जयद्रथ वरप्रदा ।

दुर्वाससिद्धिदात्री च राक्षसी क्षोभणी तथा ॥

[[ Reference:— Śrī Hāhārāva Mahātantra : ṣattriṃśat sāhasra Mahātharvaṇasaṃhitā : śrīguhyakālikā Sahasranāmapaṭalaḥ ]] 

Devī Karṇapiśācinī as Devī Kālī:— 

Devī Karṇapiśācinī is mentioned in various stotras of Kālī and her other manifestations. Here are some examples, 

कपिवक्त्रस्तुता कम्बुग्रीवा कर्णपिशाचिनी ।

कर्णिकाचलशृङ्गस्था कादिविद्याप्रकाशिनी ॥ ३३॥ 

~ Śrī Nigraheśvarī Sahasranāma Stotram 

कर्णयक्षी कर्णवार्ता कथिनी कर्णसुन्दरी ।

कर्णपिशाचिनी कर्णमञ्जरी कविकक्षदा ॥ ४६॥ 

[[ Reference:— Mahākāla Saṃhitā: Kālī Medhāsāmrājya Sahasranāma Stotra]] 

Yet, Karṇapiśācinī is a manifestation of Ādi Parāśakti, but she can't be worshipped by ordinary people. Only Gupta Kaula Vāmācārī Sādhakas can worship her. Maharṣi Kṛṣṇadvaipāyana Vedavyāsa (महर्षि कृष्णद्वैपायन वेदव्यास), Pippallāda (पिप्पलाद) were some examples of the great Sādhakas of Devī Karṇapiśācinī.